Business

N200m Loan: Minister Tasks Beneficiaries On Repayment

Published

7 years ago

November 26, 2018

Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, last Saturday tasked beneficiaries of the Kaduna State Women Empowerment Funds (KADWEF Loan) on prompt repayment of the loan to enable others benefit.
Ahmed gave the advice at the launch of the scheme for Zone I, held at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Zaria.
She commended Gov. Nasiru el-Rufa’i for introducing the scheme, saying that it was in line with the programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
She said the Federal Government’s Social Investment Scheme included N-Power Programme where about 18,000 youths from Kaduna State were presently engaged adding that about 585 youths were trained on various skills.
The minister said on N-Power Programme the federal government had spent over N4 billion in Kaduna State, adding that over one million purples of the state were also benefiting from Primary School Feeding Programme.
She said about 12,000 women were engaged in the primary school feeding programme “who on daily bases cook food for the pupils”, adding that the federal government had so far spent N8 billion in Kaduna State.
Ahmed said the third scheme was Government Enterprise Programme (GEP), adding that it was a programme similar to what is being launched today.
“This is a scheme where small loans are disburse to women, youths and men, today in Kaduna we have disbursed N1 billion to 20,000 beneficiaries.
“The fourth scheme is N5,000 assistance being given to less privileged and aged persons every month. So far N13.5 billion is spent on 10,482 people of Kaduna State.”
She reiterated that the Buhari led administration was holistically committed to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians through frantic efforts to change their lives for the better.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed-Baba had said that the planning of the scheme started in 2017 by capturing it in 2018 budget last year.
She said the programme is to assist women, vulnerable persons and physically challenged people with loans to enable them get something doing to become self reliant.
“The notable initiative is designed by Kaduna State Government to improve social welfare of of its people by reducing economic and social vulnerability of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised groups, women and person with disability.
“By the grace of Almighty we are collaborating with Central Bank of Nigeria to disburse a similar gesture specifically to our brothers and sisters who are physically challenged by December this year.
“We want the programme to be all-inclusive so that we can collectively enjoy the dividends of democracy,” Mohammed-Baba noted.
She assured that Gov. El-Rufa’i promised to double the total amount disbursed this year from N200 to N400 million by next year “but only if the beneficiaries pay back the loan as at and when due.”
The commissioner also added that the governor would double it from N400 to N800 million by 2020, adding that by 2021 it would be increased to N1 billion.
The running mate of El-Rufa’i in 2019 general election, Dr Hadiza Abubakar-Balarabe appreciated women for their support to present administration in the state and urged them to sustain the tempo.
“This government is for women, therefore I want to encourage you to give it the necessary support to succeed, I also want to call on all of you to accord special priority to girl-child education.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise beneficiaries were drawn from all the eight Local Government Areas of Northern Kaduna Senatorial District.

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Director, South South Zone National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacist Chujwuma P.Oligbu has said its thorough implementation of its core mandate of monitoring has no link with witch-hunting or fault finding as perceived at some quarters.

Oligbu, made this known when he spoke as as guest at the maiden Rivers state Supermarkets stakeholders’ Seminar/Workshop in Port Harcourt recently.

Rather, he said they were mere opportunities for education, correction and continuous improvement.

The Agency’s South South Boss, noted that Supermarket operators who maintain transparent records, cooperate during inspections, and promptly address identified gaps demonstrate professionalism and commitment to public health standard.

He listed the deserving essence of supermarket operation to include the key aspects of supermarket operation that deserves emphasis is product sourcing.

“Supermarkets must ensure that all regulated products stocked on their shelves are duly registered with NAFDAC and sourced from legitimate manufacturers or distributors”, he said .

According to him, the presence of unregistered, expired, counterfeit, or improper labelled products undermines consumer confidence and poses serious health risks.

He pointed out that such has the likelihood of exposeing supermarket operators to legal sanctions that could damage their reputation and financial stability.

The NAFDAC Operator, further enlightened the participants that mere registration of a particular product with the Federal agency do not guarantee absolute consumption safety.

“Temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, stock rotation, and proper shelving are not optional practice; they are essential components of compliance”, he said.

The South South zonal director also told the operators of supermarket that their employees rotine training on the basis of the product they display for sale is of utmost importance.

In her presentation a Breast Milk Nutrition Expert , Professor Alice Nte of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was against the body’s prime attention to breast milk substitute or baby milk in supermarkets as well as its advertisement or promotion.

Nye jerked up the importance of mothers breast milk to the newborn baby and added that it help in fighting against childhood diseases, infections and combating cancer in breastfeeding mothers.

Meanwhile, NAFDAC Deputy Director, South – South Zone , Mrs. Riter Chujwuma educated the participants on the guidelines for global listing, and the need to adhere strictly to rules guiding global listing to avoid confiscation of their imported products.

By: King Onunwor

Business

BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.

According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.

NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.

Analysts linked the growth largely to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024.

The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.

Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.

The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.

A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.

However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.

The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.

Business

AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has set the tone for the new year with a renewed focus on food security, unity and long-term growth of the agricultural sector.

The association announced that its General Assembly of Farmers Congress will take place from January 15 to 17, 2026 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, along Lugbe Airport Road, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners to shape a fresh direction for Nigerian agriculture.

In a New Year address to members and stakeholders, AFAN president, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the congress would provide a strategic forum for reviewing past challenges and outlining practical solutions for the future.

He explained that the event would serve as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration and economic renewal within the sector.

Mudi commended farmers across the country for their determination and hard work, despite years of insecurity, climate-related pressures and economic uncertainty.

According to him, their resilience has kept food production alive and positioned agriculture as a stabilising force in the national economy.

He noted that AFAN intends to build on this strength by resetting agribusiness operations to improve productivity and sustainability.

The AFAN leader appealed to government institutions, private investors and development organisations to deepen their engagement with the association.

He stressed the need for collective action to confront persistent issues such as insecurity in farming communities, climate impacts and market instability.

He also urged members to put aside internal disputes and personal interests, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in pursuit of national development.

Mudi outlined key priorities that include increasing food output, expanding support for farmers at the grassroots and strengthening local manufacturing through partnerships with both domestic and international investors adding that reducing dependence on imports remains critical to protecting the economy and creating jobs.

He stated that the upcoming congress will feature the launch of AFAN’s twenty-five-year agricultural mechanisation roadmap, alongside the announcement of new partnerships designed to accelerate growth across the value chain.

Participants, he said wi also have opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange aimed at transforming agriculture into a more competitive and technology-driven sector.

As part of its modernisation drive, AFAN is further encouraging members nationwide to enrol for the newly introduced Digital ID Card.

Mudi said the initiative will improve transparency, ensure proper farmer identification and make it easier to access support programmes and services.

Reaffirming the association’s long-term goal, he said the vision of national food sufficiency by 2030 remains achievable if unity and collaboration are sustained.

He expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s agricultural sector can overcome its challenges and deliver a more secure and prosperous future.

Lady Usendi